Whitehorse sailing club proposes boat launch

A sailing society is looking to build a boat launch and a dock on the eastern shore of Schwatka Lake in Whitehorse.

The Yukon Breeze Sailing Society needs approval from Whitehorse City Council before it can go ahead with construction.

On May 25 the president of the organization spoke to City Council about its plans, which would include leaving two seacans for storage on site as well as an outhouse.

Resident of Whitehorse Erin Benoit spoke against the plan.

"It's a blight on that area. That is an incredibly pristine area that's five minutes from Whitehorse. And we tout that area in commercials, in this, as the wilderness city. I think it's quite sad to consider that type of project," she said.

Schwatka Lake is used by float planes as well as sailboats. It is surrounded by trails and provides water to Whitehorse's hydroelectric dam.

Rick Ward, who has operated a float plane on the lake for years, said he approves of the sailing society's plan. "I don't see it as a problem," he said. 'The lake is a multi-use resource and having the sailing club operate there is just another plus for the city."

Dave Hildes is the president of the Sailing Club society, which is a non-profit.

He told City Council that Schwatka Lake is an ideal location for a sailing club. "Part of the reason we want to be on Schwatka lake is so we're close to town and we're visible. Our mandate is to promote a sailing community and safe boating practices in the North. We want to be where people can see us because we want people to join us," he said.

The proposed site is about a kilometres down Chadburn Lake Road.

AUDIO: Here's what members of the public told Whitehorse City Council on May 25